Jon Gruden got hooked up with a whole bunch of Clemson gear, and he gave plenty of great publicity to Clemson Athletics and Clemson University in return.
Gruden, the former Super Bowl-winning head coach and current Barstool Sports personality, posted a video on social media showing him unpacking boxes of Clemson gear he received from head football coach Dabo Swinney, head men’s golf coach Jordan Byrd and head men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell.
“You talk about a commitment to excellence – how ‘bout the Clemson Tigers,” Gruden said in the video. “My good friend Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers sent a huge box. Not only that, another box, it comes from Coach Jordan Byrd and the Clemson golf team. I freakin’ love this. Football and golf – I gotta stop hyperventilating, I’ve never been this excited.”
Gruden has visited Tiger Town in the past. Back in May 2021, he made his first-ever trip to Clemson when he was the guest speaker for Swinney’s annual All In Ball. He flew in a day early for the event, and while in town, he was able to hang out with Swinney, who gave Gruden a personal tour of the school.
“I love Dabo Swinney,” Gruden said. “I love Clemson. I love the school. You ever been there? It might be the most beautiful setting in all of the world. Matter of fact, it might be heaven.”
“And when you see the facilities, you gotta say they’re great,” he added. “There’s a lot of good things in life, and there’s great things. It’s great at Clemson, trust me.”
When Gruden was in his second stint as head coach of the Raiders, they drafted a handful of former Clemson players, including defensive end Clelin Ferrell (2019), cornerback Trayvon Mullen (2019), wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (2019), linebacker Tanner Muse (2020) and offensive lineman John Simpson (2020).
“I drafted almost every single Clemson Tiger,” Gruden said. “Hunter Renfrow, great slot receiver. Get back out on the grass, Hunter. Trayvon Mullen, started for me at corner. Cle Ferrell, helped me get the Raiders rolling.”
Along with his two stints as the Raiders’ head coach (1998-01, 2018-21), Gruden was the Buccaneers’ head coach from 2002-08 and led the Bucs to a 48-21 win over the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII at the conclusion of the 2002 season.
Gruden has also been an NFL assistant coach with the 49ers, Packers and Eagles.
“When I was with the Philadelphia Eagles, you know who we drafted from Clemson?” Brian Dawkins, man!” Gruden recalled. “… I love Brian Dawkins. I love Clemson. I love orange.”
“When I was coaching in Tampa, we drafted Gaines Adams in the first round, defensive end from Clemson,” Gruden added.
Gruden now hosts “Gruden’s QB Class,” a pre-draft series that showcases several different quarterbacks heading into the NFL Draft.
Speaking of quarterbacks, Gruden brought up some Clemson star QBs of the past and present.
“When you start thinking about Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson, now they got Cade Klubnik,” Gruden said. “Where else you wanna go? I remember Homer Jordan, he wore No. 3 when Danny Ford was on the sidelines, head coach. … Danny Ford, Homer Jordan throwing passes to Perry Tuttle. … Tajh Boyd went there.”
Gruden showed off a Clemson football helmet that Swinney signed, “Coach Gruden, Go Tigers!” He also shared a video of him running down the hill in Death Valley when he came to Clemson.
With all the love he showed for Clemson, Gruden was basically doing some recruiting for the Tigers.
“I hope everybody in the sport of sports looks into Clemson carefully” he said. “Because not only are there great coaches, it’s a great place.”
Check out the cool video below: